The Mid-American Conference has formally appealed to the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee, asking the governing body to void the University of Michigan’s 13-12 win over Western Michigan and instead rule the game in Western Michigan’s favor.
At issue is the final, chaotic second of Saturday’s game between the Ann Arbor-based Wolverines and the Kalamazoo-based Broncos. Officials determined that a play had actually ended with one second remaining on the clock, even though both the stadium clock and the television broadcast clock had already shown zero. After review, officials put one second back on the clock, and Michigan used it to score the winning points.
The MAC says that decision was reached improperly. In a statement, the conference said it believes the “replay protocol was not properly followed” in the closing seconds and has asked the NCAA to overturn the result entirely.
Western Michigan backed the MAC’s appeal in its own statement. University president Russ Kavalhuna said the school intends to press the matter without turning it into a grudge.
“Being bitter doesn’t make you better, and this should not be mistaken for weakness or agreement,” Kavalhuna said. “We can show respect for the game while also asking serious questions; I’ve done both, and I’ll keep doing both.”
Western Michigan’s head coach, Lance Taylor, struck a different tone, suggesting the team should simply move forward regardless of how the appeal turns out.
“When I walked into the locker room, the first thing I told them was I’m proud of them, and I love them, and they should hold their head high for what they did last night,” Taylor said, according to CBS Sports. “And they should. And whether you win or lose that game, that does not take away how they played and what they put on full display. And that was evident.”
The disputed second sparked an immediate backlash on social media, with fans across the country accusing officials of manufacturing time that the clocks themselves showed had already expired. Whether the NCAA will overturn a final score on appeal remains to be seen; such reversals are exceedingly rare in college football.
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